The Washington Redskins take on the Dallas Cowboys this week; check out the iSportsWeb fantasy advice for all things HTTR.
Who to start
The two hottest teams in football, playing in one of the game’s best rivalries on one of the biggest stages; that’s what we have this week. Powered by two rookies, the Cowboys have won nine straight games, while the Redskins have bounced back from their 0-2 start by going 6-1-1 over their last eight games. This game figures to be a shootout: both teams have moveable defenses and dynamic offenses (Washington is second the NFL in total yards per game, with Dallas close behind in fourth place).
Kirk Cousins, QB
Cousins is now a permanent QB1: he is averaging over 300 passing yards per game, he has one of the best pass-catching crews in the league, and his offensive line is keeping his jersey clean, even without left tackle Trent Williams. Jay Gruden is making life easy for Cousins, and he is taking advantage. Dallas’ defense is ranked 21st in passing yards allowed, so look for another monster game out of Cousins.
Jordan Reed, TE
Reed has yet to put up the fantasy numbers we saw in 2015 for two reasons: the wealth of receivers the Redskins have, and the team’s general red zone struggles. Reed has only hauled in three touchdowns this season, as the Redskins rank dead last in touchdowns per red zone appearance this season. He is still a worthy start, as he is the Redskins most talented pass-catcher (and maybe most talented player), but Reed owners can only hope the Redskins’ red zone struggles turn-around as we head into the fantasy playoffs.
Rob Kelley, RB
Fat Rob now has a stranglehold over the starting job. He was a cute story through two weeks, but he exploded against the Packers’ shell of a defense Sunday night, totaling 137 yards and three touchdowns. Now, that won’t be the norm; not all defenses are held together with paper mâché like Green Bay’s. But we’ve seen three good to great games from Kelley, and he has shown he is more than just an undrafted free agent getting lucky. He is a tough runner who will take on tacklers, and he has the lateral quickness to get to the second level and make someone miss. Even against Dallas’ stingy run defense, Kelley is a worthwhile starter.
Who to sit
Redskins D/ST
This is a clear no-go this week. The Redskins rank 22nd in rushing yards allowed this season, so rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott figure to have a day on the ground. Washington has done a decent job forcing turnovers, but Dallas has been one of the best teams at protecting the football all season long (tied for third with just seven turnovers in 2016). Don’t expect to receive any extra help there.
Injury updates
Chris Baker, DE
Baker was the only starter to miss practice Tuesday, but he is still in line to start on Thursday. But if he is not at full strength, that further hinders a vulnerable Redskins defense that has hemorrhaged yards on the ground, which does not bode well for their matchup with Elliott and the Cowboys’ offensive line full of maulers.
Under-the-radar options
Jamison Crowder, WR
Crowder is averaging a clean 10 points per game in standard ESPN fantasy leagues, good for 13th among receivers. Still, he isn’t getting the attention he deserves, as he is only owned in 70 percent of ESPN leagues, and only starting in 40 percent. Cousins is utilizing Crowder as both an underneath and deep threat, so if available, pick him up and start him.